Jackson Hastings from reserve grade Rugby in the NRL to Super League Man of Steel.

Jackson Hastings wins the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award. (Photo Credit The Mirror)

Great Britain International Jackson Hastings began his professional Rugby League career at the Sydney Roosters where he played 34 games in his two years at the club. The half-back moved to Manly Sea Eagles in 2017 a move which would turn out to for the worst for both player and club.

Hastings made his debut for Manly, coming off the bench in a try scoring win over the North Queensland Cowboys. But his time at Manley came to an abrupt end, after a series of disputes with captain Daly Cherry-Evans and coach Trent Barrett, saw him dropped to reserve grade rugby which brought an end to his time on the Northern beaches.

In an interview with Sporting News Hastings opened up on his time at the Eagles saying his own poor decisions brought about the situation.

“We wouldn’t be sitting here and talking about it if I didn’t go out and break curfew”. Hastings said. “It annoys me the fact I made such a dumb decision”.

“It’s true decisions make your career, and I made a stupid one that I regret”.

Hastings left Manly in 2018 and was given the opportunity to reinvigorate his Rugby League career on the other side of the world in England at Super League side Salford Red Devils. He joined the Red Devils at the end of July having a huge impact on the end of the season, scoring five tries and helping guide his new side to a first-place finish in The Qualifiers.

After an excellent start to his time at Salford, Jackson Hastings was offered an additional year contract to remain at the Devils for the 2019 season. A decision Hastings didn’t take lightly with his family living in Australia.

“In the end it was a pretty easy decision”

Hastings said after agreeing to stay at Salford for another year.

“The amount of support the Club gave me through a tough time In my life, the love that I’ve got from the fans and the respect I have from the playing group, is something that if I had walked away from, I know I wouldn’t be happy with”.

Salford head coach at the time Ian Watson said

“Signing Jackson for the 2019 season is a great piece of business by the club, and a great piece of business for Super League as a whole having Hastings in the competition”.

Jackson Hastings signs a contract extension at the Salford Red Devils. ( Photo Credit Salford Red Devils)

During the 2019 season Jackson Hastings was influential in a record-breaking season scoring 10 tries and won 13 man of the match awards. As he helped Salford to their greatest ever season in Super League history. After being heavily written off at the start of the season and the favourites for relegation, possessing a “Championship” squad. The Red Devils finished the regular season in third only two points behind second placed Wigan Warriors.

This Salford side were written off by everyone before the start of the season and this seemed to boost the side, winning their first four games of the season. They fell to their first loss in a defeat to St Helens before an eye catching 46-0 away win against the Catalan Dragons in Perpignan. They struggled in the next couple of months with their Super League form inconsistent.

But their season turned for the better on Good Friday as they stunned second placed Warrington and went on a winning run to finish third after a 17-16 win against Hull KR on the final day.

Instead of fighting for Super League survival Ian Watson had his side preparing to take his side to the DW stadium to face second placed Wigan Warriors. Salford fell just short losing 18-12 in a close encounter.

But Salford couldn’t be too disheartened for long as they had to face the Castleford Tigers, with the loser eliminated. The Red Devils brushed aside the Tigers with an excellent defensive display in a 22-0 victory. Hastings went over for a try in the final minutes to seal the win. The following week they made the trip back over to Wigan to face Adrian Lam’s side in the Semi-Final.

A game which will live long in every Salford’s fans memories. With Jackson Hastings leading his side around the field, Salford dominated Wigan in attack and defence, with the help of Krisnan Inu’s boot and tries from Gil Dudson, Joey Lussick and Lee Mossip the dream had come true for Salford players and fans. The Red Devils were off to Old Trafford for their first ever Super League Grand Final.

Hastings celebrates Salford’s win over Wigan to make the Super League Grand Final. ( Photo Credit Manchester Evening News)

An amazing achievement by Salford with Ian Watson’s side only 80 minutes away from becoming Super League champions. At the start of the season the Red Devils were 150-1 to win the Grand Fina. This shows what an amazing season Salford, had with Hastings playing an integral part in the success.

In the week leading up to the Grand Final, the Lowry Theatre in Salford provided a fitting setting as the game honoured it’s finest, at the 2019 Betfred Super League awards. With the centerpiece being the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award. An award Jackson Hastings was a nominee.

The award is judged by a panel of legends who rank the top three players in every game of the season using a three, two, one points system. Hastings had a 12-point lead at the end of the regular season and it was agreed by all of the panel that the 2019 Steve Prescott Man of Steel award winner was Jackson Hastings.

Jackson Hastings wins the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel. ( Photo Credit Love Rugby League)

In his heart-warming acceptance speech Jackson said It is an honour to win the award and emphasised the debt of gratitude he owes especially to his family and his Salford family with credit to his roommate Joey Lussick, who has supported him since moving from Australia. He is the first ever player from the club to have won the award.

Hastings final game for the Red Devils before leaving to join the Wigan Warriors was the Grand Final, but it wasn’t the dream ending to his Salford career he wanted with St Helens coming out on top with a 23-6 win.

Jackson Hastings continued his success in England with a well-deserved move to fellow Super League side Wigan Warriors in 2020. Wigan tried to sign the scrum-half the season prior but Hastings decided to stay at Salford for another year. But it was second time lucky for Wigan who succeeded in landing Hastings the following year.

Jackson Hastings signs for the Wigan Warriors. ( Photo Credit TotalRL.com)

The former Sydney Roosters and Manly man signed a two-year deal. Wigan Chairman Kris Radlinski had this say about his sides new signing.

“This is a huge signing, we have secured the services of one of the most sought-after talents in the game after having fought off interest from Super League and NRL clubs.

“Jackson has a burning desire to win things in England and that ultimately lead him to joining us and turning down bigger money elsewhere”.

In his first season at Wigan Hastings hit the ground running, helping them finish top of the Betfred Super League table winning the League Leaders shield, and to the Super League Grand Final. His second in as many seasons.

Unfortunately the Super League title avoided him for the second time with a heart-breaking defeat to rivals St Helens in the dying seconds of the game.

Since his move from the NRL Jackson Hastings has turned his Rugby League career around and is one of the most popular and well-known players in the league. At his time at Salford he was a fans favourite, over the time there he grew to love the fans as much as they did him. This was shown in his final home game when Hastings celebrated with the fans after their playoff win against Castleford.

Hastings is still loved by the Salford fans after everything he gave to the club and the success he brought to a team who were favourites for relegation. There are not many players in Sport that are still idolised by the fans of another team, but Hastings is one of the exceptions.

Due to the global pandemic Hastings hasn’t been given many opportunities to play in front of his new fans, but already he is becoming a fans favourite with his communication to the fans via his social media. A bond he will he will look to build just like he did at Salford.

A move to Super League and half way across the world away from his family was a massive decision for Hastings, but a move which proved to be the right one. He will be looking ahead to his second season with Wigan in the hope of finally getting his hands on the Super League Trophy.

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